There aren't many things that are as fun as a Topsail Island vacation! We have beautiful beaches, excellent dining, and all the peace and serenity you could ever want. While we want to make sure your family has the best vacation ever, we also want it to be safe! Read below for a few great tips on staying safe during your Topsail Island beach vacation.

Set Expectations & Boundaries with Your Kids

One of the most important ways to ensure your family stays safe during your Topsail Island vacation is to have a safety talk with your family before you arrive. Set specific expectations and boundaries, especially with your older children, and explain to them how these things will help keep them safe. A few suggestions would be things like no leaving your rental without an adult, no swimming (especially in the ocean) without supervision, help watch out for the younger children, etc. It's also a great idea to make sure your older children know, or at least have quick access to, the address of your vacation rental in the event of an emergency.

Teach Your Kids How to Swim

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many beach goers don't actually know how to swim! Kids love splashing and wading into the ocean and it's so easy to get swept just a little too far out. Before you set foot on the beach, teach your kids how to swim yourself or get professional swimming lessons for them. If teaching your children to swim before your vacation isn't an option, let "no going in the water" be one of your boundaries and explain that it's for their safety. Tip: Try to hang out on the beach and enjoy the ocean near a lifeguard station.

Practice Different Emergency Situations

You can talk to your kids all day about water safety, but nothing reinforces the proper emergency response like practice! What if your kid is caught in a riptide? What if they get knocked down by a wave and can't find which way is up? What if they drift too far down the beach and can't find you? You get the picture. Make a plan for these emergency situations, talk to your kids about the proper responses, and practice them with your children. It may seem silly but in the event of an emergency, it could be the difference in a simple scare and a tragedy. This webpage is an excellent resource for teaching your kids what to do in a riptide.

Watch Out for Beach Creatures

Although fascinating to observe, many creatures found on the beach and in the ocean are dangerous. Teach your children about the dangers of touching certain marine life. A few things to watch out for here on Topsail Island are crabs, jellyfish, and of course- sharks (you know, just in case!).

Don't Forget the Sunscreen

Nothing can ruin a great beach vacation quite like a horrible sunburn! Not only does being sunburnt hurt, but it's also super harmful to your body's largest organ- your skin. Getting severely sunburnt also runs the risk of sun poisoning, which is no fun! Protect your skin (and your fun vacation!) from the sun's harmful UV rays by correctly applying sunscreen. Apply at least SPF 30 every 2 hours, or even more frequently if you're in and out of the water. Make sure to apply sunscreen to your face and don't forget the little ones! Specially formulated sunscreens for babies and toddlers are a must. 

Now that you have a few great beach safety tips, it's time to hit the beach! Don't have your Topsail Island beach rental booked yet? No worries! Check out our available rentals and start planning today.